Gary Fineout

Turbulence in Tally

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Amid debate in Congress, Florida's Republican Legislature pushes election law changes As part of the effort, the Sunshine State may also forever banish recounts from its election processes and switch to a new “vote validation” system that would aim to check all ballots after they are c...

www.politico.com/news/2026/02...

Florida lawmakers’ results midway through DeSantis’ last session: Not much Nearly 1,800 bills and proposed constitutional amendments have been filed so far for the 2026 session. Only two bills have passed the Legislature so far.

www.politico.com/news/2026/02...

Florida push for mid-decade redistricting draws its first lawsuit Florida has been seen as a key piece of the national push by Republicans to overhaul congressional districts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

www.politico.com/news/2026/02...

‘My rivals would all love to be in my position, and they're not’: Donalds’ Florida foes turn up the heat Rep. Byron Donalds, who has President Donald Trump’s endorsement, is moving to lock down the GOP governor's primary early.

Meanwhile ... www.politico.com/news/2026/01...

Pushaw-Fishback connection bursts into public view

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DeSantis calls April special legislative session on congressional redistricting DeSantis, in his session proclamation, said the “Legislature should wait as long as feasible” before drawing new maps so that the state can get “guidance” from the U.S. Supreme Court.

www.politico.com/news/2026/01...

DeSantis: Florida should require congressional candidates to answer about stock trades

Florida Republicans quickly back Trump after Maduro’s capture in Venezuela Hill Republicans from the Sunshine State, which boasts the largest population of Venezuelans of any state, rushed to applaud the move after weeks of calls for action.

www.politico.com/news/2026/01...

Perez’s message for 2026

House Speaker Perez on the House mission for 2026 as well as his thoughts on other top Republicans www.politico.com/newsletters/...

Miami gives Dems hopes for Florida midterm magic. But hurdles loom large Democrats are still far behind on fundraising, voter registration and organizing.

www.politico.com/news/2025/12...

Trump’s pick to replace DeSantis faces a Republican pile-on in Florida It now appears Byron Donalds will be forced to grind it out in a race that could turn bitter and nasty quickly.

A look at the GOP primary for governor in Florida www.politico.com/news/2025/11...

Battle for Florida CFO heats up after GOP legislator backed by Scott jumps in The announcement by Steele is sure to foster speculation that he might win the backing of President Donald Trump, setting up a potential proxy battle between the president and DeSantis.

DeSantis' hand-picked choice for chief financial officer is getting a GOP challenger who is already been endorsed by Sen. Rick Scott www.politico.com/news/2025/11...

DeSantis’ backyard brawl

"In Birmingham they love the governor." In Tallahassee, by and large, they don't. A look at a brawl in DeSantis' backyard www.politico.com/newsletters/...

Jerry Demings rallies crowd around campaign for Florida governor: ‘It’s time for a new sheriff in town’ The Orange County mayor took some digs at Gov. Ron DeSantis as he entered the Democratic primary for governor.

www.politico.com/news/2025/11...

Orange County Mayor Demings makes bid for Florida governor official Demings' entry into the race gives former Rep. David Jolly a formidable challenger for the Democratic nomination.

www.politico.com/news/2025/11...

The voting fight roiling Florida Dems

Should Fla Dems have open primaries? ... It's being debated internally. More here ... www.politico.com/newsletters/...

POLITICO Pro: Florida may spend millions to renovate governor's mansion “It really is falling apart,” said state Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, who while she was Senate president back in 2024 supported setting aside money to plan for the renovations.

Fla may spend up to $20m on renovations to the governor's mansion ... "It really is falling apart," said state Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, who was among legislative leaders who approved planning $ for the project subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...

Florida governor’s race revives GOP’s old Obamacare battle Democrat David Jolly criticized Gov. Ron DeSantis and Rep. Byron Donalds over recent comments about the ACA.

www.politico.com/news/2025/10...

New Florida push for legalized pot runs into a familiar foe Smart & Safe Florida filed a lawsuit this week challenging a push by Florida’s top election officials to throw out as many as 200,000 signatures.

ICYMI .... Organizers behind a new recreational pot measure have sued after top state election officials pushed to throw out 200,000 signatures ... www.politico.com/news/2025/10...

Cory Mills slapped with restraining order after Florida judge sides with accuser The restraining order against Mills comes amid a swirl of controversies this year for the second-term Republican.

www.politico.com/news/2025/10...

Inside Uthmeier’s path to a critical Trump endorsement in Florida The president’s endorsement lowers the possibility of a contentious Republican primary next year and lessens the chance of a full-blown Trump-DeSantis proxy war across the ballot.

Work on Alligator Alcatraz and the Trump library in Miami ... www.politico.com/news/2025/10...

Uthmeier addresses firearm policy

Fla's new attorney general explains his decision to break with former AG Ashley Moody and not defend Fla gun laws ... which allowed open carry to become the law in the state ... More here ... www.politico.com/newsletters/...

POLITICO Pro: Florida gets more than $600M from FEMA for Alligator Alcatraz, other detention sites A spokesperson for the Federal Emergency Management Agency confirmed Florida had received a “full reimbursement” of $608 million that it had sought to pay for the state’s immigration enforcement effor...

subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...

Trump-endorsed Donalds may soon have a new ‘26 rival: Florida’s LG Jay Collins said that if he runs for governor, he would be willing to consider first lady Casey DeSantis — whom he called “brilliant” and “hard working” — as a possible running mate.

ICYMI ... www.politico.com/news/2025/09...

Explaining Florida’s red wave

A new academic study on the "Free State of Florida" looked at the growing GOP edge in voter registration .. Researchers looked at voters aged 25 and up who moved in during the DeSantis years. They found a majority registered GOP ... More here ... www.politico.com/newsletters/...

Rep. Cory Mills faces ex-girlfriend in Florida hearing over restraining order request A Republican state committeewoman from Columbia County is seeking a restraining order against Mills, who has denied any wrongdoing.

Earlier today there was a hearing in Lake City regarding Rep. Cory Mills www.politico.com/news/2025/09...

Fla @SenRickScott - former GOP gov - says the state doesn't need to wipe out its immunization requirements. "Florida already has a good system that allows families to opt out based on religious and personal beliefs, which balances our children's health and parents' rights."

ICYMI ...

Trump's Florida man for RNC chair officially takes the role The elevation of the GOP state senator who once chaired the Republican Party of Florida was never in doubt after Trump hand-picked him for the job.

Meanwhile in Atlanta www.politico.com/news/2025/08...